HISTART343

Cappella Palatina Christ in Majesty flanked by Peter and Paul View to the west, Palermo, Sicily

- very byzantine - foot on pillow - Appears above a royal seat on the entrance wall - The saints and Apostles surmounted by the Pantocrator fill the apse

Staurotheke, Reliquary of the True Cross

10th century Gold, enamel and precious stones- Luxury object Commissioned by Emperors Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos and Romanos II. It holds pieces of the true cross

Cathedral of Cefalu

1131-2, Sicily, Italy

Bayeux embroidery, (The Norman invasion of England)

11th century

Annunciation;Monastery of St. Catherine

12th century; Sinai, Egypt Detail of the Theotokos: - The circle around the figures head - Ray of light - holy spirit making itself into an embryo like thing - Giving a human shape to the ray of light that strikes her - Nature is around her - Depiction of Marry - The next- sign of fertility - A lot of sermons were written that celebrated the spring festival - Metaphors of birds sitting in trees Detail of the Theotokos' house Detail of the River

Fra Mauro

1450s • commissioned by the king of Portugal • someone in Venice o meeting place for lots of culture o Venice is one of the richest city in Europe • Because it is a big trade and commercial center • Everyone needs to stop here if they want to come further east • Depiction of India and China o Strong ties

Byzantine Empire

312-1453 C.E. Capital: Constantinople Official religion: Orthodox Christianity Official language: Greek -Dealing with two strands (states above) and Catholicism - Differences: catholic church accepts pope as spiritual leader, seat is in the Vatican → NOT the case with orthodox, never accepted one individual for their spiritual leader' -Latin was the official language of the catholic church → church services are conducted in Latin Head of church: bishop, known as patriarch

Rossano Gospels, The evangelist Mark

6th century, currently in Rossano, Italy • Manuscript • He writes on a scroll • Image gives you an idea of how hard it was to write on a scroll, it is spilling over • Not writing what came into their heads- they were inspired o He's not an author, a medium bringing the message

Crucifixion; narthex of H. Loukas

mosaic - blend of Hellenistic style -- abstract Byzantine - Dialogs that have been placed there-- Text plays an important part -Faces are looking away from each other -Moasiac in the church of the formation, tells the story of Christs crucifization -Picture takes a minimalist approach, has great symmetry, shows closed space → producing an effect of motionlessness and immutability -Virgin and Saint John point to Christ on the cross as if to a devotional object, acting as intercessors between the viewers and Christ. - Christ depicted with tilted head and sagging body

Anastasis OR Resurrection of Christ; Harrowing of Hell; narthex of H. Loukas

mosaic • not a personal resurrection • involves a community • beautiful purple robe

Doubting Thomas; narthex of H. Loukas

mosaic • space and doors • face is whipped out, Christ is reveal his wounds • Christ is framed by a door

Narthex of Hosios Loukas

mosaics - Hall/ court before you enter the main church - Orientation: in the west (most churches you enter in the west)

Lamentation (Threnos)

not included in the Gospels, but developed in hymns and sermons of the Byzantine church. These hymns and sermons use antithesis in writing about the Threnos. "I raised you in a mother's arms...leaping and jumping as children do. Now I raise you up in the same arms, but... lying as the dead. The Threnos was included as a reading in the sermon on the eve of Good Friday. Visual depiction of the Threnos first occurs in the 11th century.

Nativity, South aisle, Cappella Palatina

o Nativity • Combining text with an image • Popular image in Medieval art • Mary holding Christ, offerings being made, following the light of the stark → light is very important • Joseph is turned away, not main part of the image • Foreground: reference to baptism Christ naked with a halo, maid servant giving him his first birth Reference to baptism and his sacrifice, encompasses many events at once • South wall of the nave: Baptism of Christ, the Transfiguration, and the Entry into Jerusalem o Transfiguration: Christ is showing his divine light, standing on a mountain, revealing his divinity that was radiant

The Baptism of Christ; H. Loukas

squinch; mosaic • Curved surface is more inviting • Important to have a view

Homilies of Gregory of Nazianos

commissioned by Joseph Hagioglykerites; one of the first abbots of the Pantokrator Manastery in Constantinople; 12th century • This manuscript was commissioned by the abbott • Blessing of speech • Speech + writing • Fountains = eloquence; good speech • Upholding the idea of speech • Homody- spoken effectively so people respond to it • Lots of colors but it all comes together to support the central idea

Loros

costume permitted to the Byzantine emperor

The Quadriga, four bronze horses, looted from the Hippodrome of Constantinople

façade of the Basilica of St. Mark (now in the Museum of St. Mark). • Has nothing to do with Christianity • It has been taken from the Hippodrome and put on the façade of the church • Along with the change in location, the meanings of the horses change o Depicts horses about to take off o Became associated with the four horses of the _______ o Images can change over time • Change audience • Change political orientation • Change location

Church of St. George, Kurbinovo

founded in 1191, according to an inscription on the altar. Nothing known of the founders. Bishops celebrating the liturgy; apse fresco: Christ is under a window, below arches; Christ is still the savior but dead

Anastasis; St. George,

fresco; Kurbinovo, 1191 • Dressed like the byzantine emperor = costume is known • Why is Christ in this circle? o Represents divinity - rays

Cheetah attacking deer

glazed earthenware, 12th century, Byzantine • Motif of a larger animal attacking a smaller one • Seen on bowls and cloths • Objects that are portable, can travel easily • Only aristocrats could have cheetah • Idea of hunt and attacking

Ivory box with mythological scenes

late 10th century

Leo V dreaming of the murder Madrid Skylitzes, folio 25r

- 2 figures: the reclining emperor on the left and the approaching swordsman who is about to strike him - the unorthodox emperor Leo is resented with a halo -- an attribute of Orthodox rulers - the visual narrative displays distinct structural choices that 'reoriented' the textual narrative by foregrounding premonitions of imperial vulnerability over Orthodox tribulations

Byzantine

- Byzantine: The style and art of the Eastern Roman Empire - Themes are most usually Christian but sometimes revived classical or mythological subjects. - Mosaics are the chief pictorial medium and tend to be abstracted with gold backgrounds, linear designs, little or no modeling, humans with aquiline noses and almond shaped eyes, figures with downward pointed feet who do not "connect" well with their settings, a lack of perspective, isocephallism (all the figures heads are on the same horizontal line), etc.

Christ Pantokrator, Dumbarton Oaks Psalter and new Testament; 11th century

- Christ figure holding a book with nothing inside of it - Some books show damage where the holiest person is depicted b/c people have touched it/ kissed it - Holy icon - Something you would find in a church although it is in a book - 2 fingers conversing on the bottom left side of the page Why transform text into a letter into an image? - It's supposed to be symbol of speech and writing - Meant to be spoken - Folios with great writing is used to give people a voice

Christ Pantokrator, dome mosaic, Daphni Why was it so important for the dome to be visible from whatever part?

- Contributed to the hierarchy - Christ as Pantokrator - Gigantic icon at the center of the dome depicting Christ as Pantokrator, meaning "ruler of all" - Icon appears to be hovering in space, and serves to connect worshipers in the Church with Heaven through Christ

Muqarnas, Nave ceiling, Cappella Palatina

- Directs your attention upward - Arabic inscriptions Muqarnas: A decorative device used in Islamic structures. Pointed niches projecting downwards from domes, ceilings, or squinches in a stalactite, or honeycomb effect.

Prophecy of doom for Leo V Madrid Skylitzes, fol. 24 v

- Events that led to the assignation - Far left figure = emperor; Pushed off to the side; You normally find the throne/ palace/ etc in the middle but this is not the case here - Empress is other figure next to him, has more mass and volume than the emperor - 3 men enter the inertial presence from the RIGHT - man holding open book - the painted miniature in the diminutive book represents the prophecy: a man on the left page looks back at a sword wielding assailant - transforms metaphor into reality: a lion morphs into a person whose name (Leo) means 'lion' - the representation of the prophecy is decisive, unambiguous and graphic The image suggests both a level of comfort in breaking the Byzantine traditions of imperial representations and a cultural distance from the expectations imposed upon imperial representations as expressed in the text. - Visual idiom is not byzantine What is a prophecy and how is it depicted here?

Emperor John I Tzimiskes returns in triumph to Constantinople after battle fol. 172 v

- Important battle he fought - Direction of the image, not the direction of the text - To follow text you need to go from left to right - To follow the image you have to go right to left - Theotokis and Christ in the square above the horse - Shows the importance of icons - Believes that the image of theotkis and Christ helped him win the battle

The body of Leo V dragged to the Hippodrome; folio 26 v, top

- Leos corpse is clothed in golden imperial regalia and bearing traces of blood (red paint on his neck) - sagging imperial body is being thrown out of the palace - imperial body, esp hands and feet, was a sacral body - contact with these taboo parts of the imperial body challenges its ideological status in Byzantium - decisions displayed in the Skylitzes high the dishonor - Imperial body as a horizontal corpse - Bare feet (unheard of - they are normally wearing red shoes) - Space = gods in the background Adds a feeling of holiness

Hosios Loukas

- Monastery church dedicated to Holy Luke. - Made up of 2 churches (Theotokos and Katholikan) - Theotokos was made for the monks - it is smaller and has a cross in square design that is will become popular in later times - use of Pandectives - Katholikan is bigger to allow for the pilgrims - Greek cross octagon design - use of squinches - The main church of the monastery (katholikon) has a crypt with the tomb and wonder-working relics of Luke. - The katholikon is the oldest church from between the 10th and 12th centuries in Byzantium to preserve its decoration almost intact. - dome on squinches - Dome placed over an octagon inscribed within a square; the octagon was formed by squinches, which serve to transition the square base to a round dome • Monks dedicated their lives to prayer

Bilateral icon; 12th century; Kastoria, Greece

- Whatever prayers are addressed are directed by her hand to him - Hand= massive, this is the hand that leads - Normally always points with right hand and holding with her left - Interesting image because it turns around Byzantine ideas of hierarchy - Christ should be centered and bigger - But in this case, she is centered and bigger, taking up the entire panel -- Saying don't look at me, look at him Why does she look the way she looks? Does her face express some sort of emotion?

The Paris Psalter, 10th century, David playing the harp, Psalter commissioned by Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos

- a Byzantine illuminated manuscript - "Psalter" in the name of this manuscript is the term we use for books and manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible's Book of Psalm - one of the most commonly copied works in the Middle Ages because of their central role in medieval church ceremony. - Combining the classical past with the medieval Christian present Psalter- book of songs meant to be sung - depict the life of King David, who was often seen as a model of just rule for medieval kings. Because King David was traditionally considered the author of the Psalms. - David is shown here in the role of musician and composer, sitting atop a boulder playing his harp in an idyllic pastoral setting - figure of Echo is peering from behind a column David, the psalmist, surrounded by sheep, goats, and his faithful dog, plays his harp in a rocky landscape with a town in the background. Why would a Biblical king surround himself with pagans? The Paris Psalter embodies a complex mixture of the classical pagan past and the medieval Christian present—all brought together to communicate a political message by the Byzantine emperor.

Hagia Sophia

- built in the 6th century, Constantinople - translates to "holy Wisdom" The supreme example of Byzantine architecture built under Justinian between 532-537 - Emperor Justinian had sought to create the greatest Basilica. - He wanted a Basilica that would both convey his power as emperor and his piety as a christian. Justinian wanted HS: - dome in the church to be centered in a rectangular base, which was a major challenge for architects. • Byzantine church, half dome placed on a cube • Interior → Justinian intended to build it in order to emphasize the orthodox Christianity and to rival all other churches ever built in size and magnificence. It is one of the world's most important architectural accomplishments. • Cathedral church, designed to be imposing (unlike your normal Byzantine church space) The windows allowed for light that created a heavenly illusion, alluding to religion

The Cappella Palatina (Palace Chapel)

- commissioned by Roger II in 1130, but was continued under his successors, William I and William II. -The structure incorporates elements of Byzantine church decoration, Islamic motifs, and Latin inscriptions. - in Palermo - contains an ensemble of architecture and the arts ; Best preserved interior ensemble of any other structure from the Middle Ages

Constantine and Justinian flanking the Virgin and Child; south entrance, Hagia Sophia

- glorious image of the virgin mary seated on a bench with 2 cushions seats on her lap with the virgin child. - gold represents the divine light of heaven 0 right above the row of windows she is above the sky • She could be sitting or standing- unknown • Baby is shining out, placed against a black/ dark background • Posture of the Christ child imitates the posture of his mother o Almost like he is a small miniature version of the darker, bigger, more imposing figure • Red shoes= sign of Byzantine empire, no noble could wear red shoes, symbol of royalty • Button like objects in the back up against yellow background → a Greek monogram, mother of god, an abbreviation

Leo V spying on Michael the Amorian Madrid Skylitzes, fol. 25 r

- intensifies Leos umimperial indecisiveness - iconography mirrors the dream above but protagonist reverse roles -- emperor is now awake - Leos uhregal activity is part of a broader structural pattern of reorienting imperial iconography in the Madrid Skylitzes away from the static poses of official Byzantine imperial imagery - unimperial pursuit of spying, tormented by weakness and indecision - purpose shoes, glow of a halo Trying to show that Leo is not adhering to imperial protocol Image of emperor bending -- in the narthex of Hagia Sophia

The assassination of Leo V in the palace church; folio 26 r top

- single combat between the cross-wielding emptier and a single sword bearing assailant - iconographic structure recalls that of Less threatening dream seen on a pervious folio - visual narrative diverges from the text to convey a consistent visual message - sitting emperor raises a large cross as protection against the menacing swordsman, who is about to unleash a bow - full costume of inertial legitimacy, the sacred setting and the sacral symbols of divinely inspired authors -- the halo and the cross -- amplify the criminal audacity of the unfolding drama - elevation of the cross, a ritual which was performed annually by the patriarch in the Hagia Sophia CROSS: a symbol of authority for Christian rulers, central to Byzantine imperial representations in Skylines image, the cross is a powerful sign of complete imperial powerlessness

Christ Pantokrator, "I am the light of the world", South aisle,Cappella Palatina

- there is a royal axis between the entrance wall and the apse - idea of achieving birth and rebirth through the Creator and the Holy spirit is expressed in the Palatina mosaics quite literally as enlightenment - through light as the agent of divine wisdom - communicated through the arrangement of subject, accompanying inscriptions, and the use of the mosaic medium with its light reflecting a golden ground

Antithesis

A rhetorical technique in which extreme opposites of emotion are juxtaposed for effect.

Porta S. Alippio; depiction of the arrival of the body of St. Mark to Venice from Alexandria in 829 AD;

Basilica of St. Mark • Trading with Islamic empire • Marks body is in Egypt - decide they are going to steal a full body relic • Relic was important • Celebrates arrival of body form Alexandria • Small depiction of Basilica in the mosaics • Domes - quite accurate • Lunette with Christ • Borrowing from Byzantium • Merchants ruled Venice

Joshua Roll

Byzantine, 10th century • Famous scroll • Collection here at Umich • 15 long sheets - very odd object that has puzzled Byznastinums because it is so late o why would they go through all this trouble to make a scroll when there were books etc - Shows us the book of Joshua-- Book about recapturing the holy land, not very popular in Byzantium 10th century was a good time for the Byzantium: o boom + luxury products o period when you have strong and good emperors • the hand of god is coming down • progression across the scroll → posture changing • Oros means mountain

Apse Mosaic

Christ Pantokrator followed by Theotokos and angels, evangelists and prophets, 1148 Cefalu, Sicily

Hagia Sophia, Anthemius and Isidorus

Constantinople, Istanbul, Turkey 532-537 Justinian chose two men, neither an architect, to design and construct the church: Anthemius of Tralles (Greek mathematician) and Isidorus of Miletus, a professor of physics The minarets were added after 1453

Staircase of S. Maria del Monte, Caltagirone, Sicily, ceramic tiles, 17th century

Famous examples of ceramics

Church of St. Panteleimon

Nerezi, Macedonia, 1164 • Small byzantine church • Founded in 1164 by the aristocrat Alexios Angelos Komnenos; grandson of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos. o an inscription in the church • Macedonia had a long history of Byzantine involvement. During the 11th and 12th centuries, a lot of building activity occurred at and near Skopje and Ohrid. • St. Panteleimon shows artistic influence of Constantinople, adapted to the provincial style.

The use of Greek fire, Madrid Skylitzes

Greek/ Byzantine strategy during war In navel battles, they used fire, chemical compound that shot out fire and decimated

Proskynetarion/a:

Icons on piers of the templon; display stand of an especially venerated icon.

Monastery of St. Catherine

Mount Sinai 548-565 Justinian's architects were rebuilding a very important monastery at Mount Sinai in Egypt. The tiny monastery, Saint Catherine, was rebuilt and enclosed in defensive walls between 548-565. Mount Sinai is the biblical location of two important events from the Old Testament. It is where Moses received the ten commandments and is the place where Moses heard the voice of God in a burning bush.

Naos, north arm of the cross, north wall: the Thernos

North wall→ array of saints holding hymns that describe the events happening above • You read the words, hear the songs, and you see the gesture above • End of life • Lies horizontal- death • Deliberate juxtaposition of placement on north and south walls facing each other • ENCOMPASSING EFFECT → your body actually needs to shift, forces the viewer to move • She is holding him in her lap but he is dead • Christ between 2 of her legs → gave birth • Spears of some sort placed • Instruments of his torture in left hand corner • Flesh on flesh - sign of his humanity • Red shoes- royal

Heavenly Ladder of John Klimakos 12th century;Monastery of St. Catherine Sinai, Egypt

One of the most successfully preserved great icon, group of monks climbing the ladder diagonally, the most dynamic composition and a forceful presentation, at the top you have Christ, unusual presentation of hell, devouring lower portion of body and devils, trying to tempt the monks, monks in the right lower corner are saved, different scale of figures The icon depicts monks ascending the ladder towards Jesus in Heaven, at the top right of the image with John Climacus at the top of the ladder, being welcomed by Jesus. The ascent of the monks is assisted by the prayers of angels, saints and the community, while demons attack and try to make monks fall from the ladder by pulling them down or striking them with arrows.[1][2] The depiction of the ladder reflects the importance of angels and demons in Eastern Orthodox spirituality.[2] The icon also shows a gaping maw, representing the Devil himself who is devouring a monk who has fallen from the ladder.[5]

Cappella Palatina, View to the east, apse mosaic with Christ Pantokrator

Palermo, Sicily - Squinch with St. Luke writing The gospel - He is actually writing the Gospel in Greek - Fiolios are empty because he is still in the process of writing - Light that shines → Byzantine lighting creating a Halo - Latin is the language of translation - South aisle: "I am the light of the world" - Chridt Pantokrator

Cappella Palatina, Commissioned in the 1130s, recorded in a foundation charter in 1140. View to the west

Palermo, Sicily • Royal chapter for the kings • Sometimes they opened it up to the general public • Steps leading to a platform, backed by the figure • Above you have an image of Christ

Byz. sanct. screen: Liturgical roll, Holy Monastery of St. John the Theologian

Patmos, Greece, 12th century • Scroll used during church services • Vertical roll that shoes a Byzantine church • Famous dome that defines the churches

Proskynesis

Prostration before/veneration of an icon In the church calendar, every day is dedicated to a saint

Byz. sanct. screen: Epistyle beam from a sanctuary screen; Monastery of St. Catherine

Sinai, 12th century • What is the value of repetition of certain images? o Understand the importance o Images are standing in for text o Experience is different in each case o Same content viewer is seeing in different sizes and spaces

Byz. sanct. screen: Central doors of a sanctuary screen; Monastery of St. Catherine

Sinai, 12th-13th century • Stretching out his hand- gesture of speech Hail merry, full of grace • Varnished gold for halo • When the doors are open, it's like the clergy enters the space that is governed by god • Holy domain is sealed when the doors are closed • Communication between the laity and the icons, between laity and clergy o Interaction between icons themselves, they're in constant dialogue with each other • Double sided icons • The space inside had a lot of images in it, the clergy was immersed in • Right on top is a cross • Think of vertical axis - o Bottom = conception of Christ o As you go up, you have the diasis

John Skylitzes

Skylitzes= name of the person whose work this is - a historian who lived in the 11thcentury. - Skylitzes' history was illustrated in a manuscript now in Madrid (hence the so-called Madrid Skylitzes). - It has 574 illustrations, and was probably made in Norman Sicily. - An invaluable insight into imperial ceremonial, punishment, military techniques, and even medical procedures in Byzantium. juxtaposition between text and image: the creative process of translating verbal into visual, and the transformative politics of narrative orientation

1204: The Fourth Crusade, which was diverted towards the capture of Constantinople.

THIS CRUSADE = CAPTURING CONSTANTINOPLE -Pope decided Muslims are enemies; lets also make the orthodox enemies - Relied on Venice to provide warships - Venice provided a fleet of warships in return for cash and territory in the Byzantine Empire. Led by Doge Enrico Dandolo. - Went to holy land but diverted to Constantinople - Shocked the Byzantines, had no idea, unexpected Venice seized a bulk of Constantinople's treasures, the most sumptuous of which were displayed on the façade of the Basilica of St. Mark.

Templon

Technical term for the screen; Screen separating the nave [naos] from the sanctuary [bema]. There is evidence for the use of the templon from the 6th century, but it becomes widespread in the 11th-12th centuries.

Sicily

The Normans - Norsemen, or 'men from the north' who invaded and settled in different parts of Europe, establishing flourishing states. Roger II - Crowned King of Sicily in 1130 on Christmas day. Sicily had a population of Arab Muslims, Greek Orthodox Christians, and Latin Catholics. Its rich literary heritage comprised works in Arabic, Greek and Latin. A similar hybridity is evident in the Norman monuments of Sicily.

Bishops celebrating at the altar; St. George, Kurbinovo, 1191

apse, fresco

Theotokos and Child, flanked by angels; St. George, Kurbinovo, 1191

apse, fresco

a title of Mary, mother of God, used especially in Eastern Christianity

Theotokos

DEF: Mosaic

a medium of colored marble pieces or glass assembled on floors or walls surfaces to create symbolic pictures

Bishops celebrating the liturgy; St. George, Kurbinovo, 1191

apse fresco

Apse = bema

where services are performed Holiest part of the church is oriented to the East → something to do with the rising and setting of the sun → oriented to the holiest place

Jacopo de Barbari, Bird's-eye-view of Venice, 1500

woodcut on 6 blocks; British Museum • Big map, wanted to transport it from Venice to Australia • Shows Venice as a series of islands • 8 winds • why would Venice tie itself • Neptune looks up straight to mercury • Mercury = messenger/ god of commerce o Links people and rules over trade • Image creases an axis that falls on a important trading center in Venice • Venice referred to itself as Venus • Trying to make it look like a dolphin o Had connotations with Christianity o Dolphins are symbolic animals o Associated with the Christian sole

Porphyry statue of the tetrarchs, Spoils from Constantinople, South façade, Basilica of St. Mark

• 4 rulers, 2 of whom who embrace each other on either sides • they are stuck on the south facade of the Basilica (on the corner) o Why here? Because it faces the water; view of the water • Bring luck and good fortune • Hold the building • Why do they want the statue to be seen from the water? o To display power and wealth • Unmovable • Special stone that can harm the person who tries to strike it • Refer to ancient emperors; alliance with ancient

Head known as 'Il Carmagnola'

• Another object they brought from Constantinople • Rich purple color - Byzantines were fond of this o Very heavy • Brought from the Philadelphion square in Constantinople • Venetian identity • Heads of criminals that are displayed o This is like a statue of a head o Associated with important guy who portrayed the state • Display at a height so people could see

Basilica of St. Mark, built in the 9th century, rebuilt in the 11th century.

• Basilica = church • Wooden domes were replaced by brick vaults in the 11th century. • The basilica resembles the destroyed Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople (the Apostoleion). • Looks more Byzantine

The Washing of the Feet; mosaic; narthex of H. Loukas

• Curved surface • Shows the washing of the feet, another mosaic • Arabic text • Symbol of his humility and purification in a way • Why is this image here? Usually you have a ceremony of baptism • Monks would come here and worship o Biological story but also story of the monks • You would also have burials o Death and birth • Don't know the name of the deciphels

H. LOUKAS

• Domes - Christ Pantokrator, Theotokos • Squinches - Festival scenes • Lower domes, wall surfaces - Sanctoral cycle • Twelve great feasts celebrated by the Orthodox Church: Annunciation, Nativity, Presentation to the Temple, Baptism, Entry into Jerusalem, Raising of Lazarus, Crucifixion, Anastasis, Ascension, Transfiguration, Dormition of the Virgin, Pentecost Festival Cycle :•Twelve great feasts celebrated by the Orthodox Church:Annunciation, Nativity, Presentation to the Temple, Baptism, Entry into Jerusalem, Raising of Lazarus, Crucifixion, Anastasis, Ascension, Transfiguration, Dormition of the Virgin, Pentecost

Constantine IX Monomachos (1042-55) and Empress Zoe flanking Christ

• Found in the South gallery • Monomachos = one hand, he did battle with one hand • She is offering a scroll filled with legal documents • He is offering cash, meaning he has embellished this church with money to the glory/ honor of Christ • Christ is holding a big book, it has jewels on it o He holds his fingers in such a way that suggests a blessing o Seems to be saying everyone is blessed because of their actions • Scroll v. book → 2 different kinds of reading material

Detail of the Piazzetta and Piazza S. Marco • Why were the columns placed here? (They still stand today)

• Frame for entry way of Venice • Ambassadors/ diplomats/ important merchants • Framing device which they could enter • It looks out to the grand canal • The venetians, theatrical arena • They also had punishments at the columns o Notorious for the public display on punishments

Christ Pantokrator, mosaic, narthex of H. Loukas

• His fingers are pointing to a text • Image is placed over a doorway of the Narthex o Figure of Christ exactly fits the length/ wingspan of the door • Text reads: I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not wander in darkness, but shall live in light (from the gospel of John) o Entering his kingdom o Every Christian church in Europe has a basic structure of Christ o Structure that led to Christ's death and a sign of victory o Inviting you into his own body • You are literally entering him o Mosaic looks good on curved edges

John II Comnenos and Empress Irene flanking the Theotokos and Child

• Located in the south gallery • Copy cat tactics o Part of this legacy and lineage that is royal and legitimate o Not about being original or new • Want to restrict themselves to the same formula • Showing that this image has a stamp of approval • Heavy clothing → slower movement o They couldn't walk fast, they hardly walked o Metaphor very often → you become still like an image • Icon= image in Greek • Baby Christ holds a scroll of salvation to mankind o Other hand is stretched out

Naos, south arm of the cross, south wall: the Presentation, the Virgin and Symeon

• Love of marble • If you're going to touch someone holy, your hands need to be covered • Start of life

West wall: the Transfiguration

• Moment when Christ revealed his divinity to 3 of his disciples o It was so radiant + blazing that they fell over • Church of the Virgin Peribleptos (now St. Kliment), Ohrid, Macedonia; 1294-95. • Frescoes made by the artists Eutychios and Michael Astrapas. • Frescoes arranged according to the structure of antithesis.

Naos, H. Loukas

• Sanctuary: Bema • North chapel: Prothesis • South chapel: Diakonikon • Classical System of Byzantine Church Decoration • Cross-in-square plans, surmounted by dome • Curved space- you get the sense that it is moving along with you

Detail of the Piaza

• Space opens up as you approach the church • Makes the church seem more expansive • Theatricalized • Strategic area that Venetians use

Detail of the Piazzetta leading to the Piazza S. Marco

• Special area in Venice, the little square and the piazza S. Marcho (which is the main square) • You cans see the church of S. Marco • You can see galleries that are stationed and more elaborate boats

The Hippodrome of Constantinople

• Sporting arena • Shows prestige, propaganda, unity that unites someone in an empire • Middle barrier had statues, columns → artwork • Can hold 100,000

The Gospels of Emperor John II Komnenos; John Komnenos (1118-1143) and his son Alexios Komnenos 12th century

• Wearing Loros • Wearing a jeweled cross • How are they positioned in terms of Christ? o He is touching their heads squarely o They are lifting him up o Imperial body becomes columns • 2 figures on either side o crowned figures o left is compassion; right is justice